Pakistani Athletes Competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics

This year, Pakistan has sent a remarkable team of seven athletes who have proven themselves through hard work and exceptional performances. These athletes not only carry the hopes of their nation but also embody the spirit and resilience of Pakistan. This marks Pakistan’s nineteenth participation in the Summer Olympics.
Here’s a closer look at the seven athletes attending and representing Pakistan at the Olympics.

Arshad Nadeem – Men’s Javelin Throw

Arshad Nadeem has emerged as a global force in javelin throw. The Pakistani athlete has consistently showcased his exceptional talent on the international stage. His gold medal and record-breaking performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, coupled with a historic silver medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, have solidified his position as a top contender.
A veteran in his field, Nadeem was the first Pakistani to qualify for the Olympic javelin final, competing at the Tokyo 2020 Games. His relentless pursuit of excellence led him to set a record by breaching the 90-meter barrier two years ago, an achievement unmatched by his Indian rival, Neeraj Chopra.
While Chopra holds the Olympic champion title, Nadeem is determined to claim the gold at the upcoming Paris Games. With intense training and unwavering focus, he is confident in his ability to achieve this goal. As he expressed to Dawn, “I’ll be ecstatic if I win gold, because the goals we’ve set, the training we’ve done all year, we’ll reap the rewards of that.”
The world will be watching as Nadeem competes in the Men’s Javelin throw on August 6.

Faiqa Riaz – Women’s 100 m

Faiqa Riaz is determined to make history. With a personal best of 11.7 seconds set earlier this year, the former hockey player-turned-track athlete is determined to claim an Olympic medal in the 100-meter dash.

We will be able to see her for a mere 12 seconds as Riaz competes against the world’s fastest women, including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica and Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States.

The preliminary round for the women’s 100m is scheduled for August 2nd.

Ghulam Mustafa Bashir – Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol

Ghulam Mustafa Bashir is coming back for his third Olympic appearance, brimming with confidence. The veteran shooter, who made sporting history by winning the nation’s first-ever shooting medal – a bronze at the 2022 World Championships – is ranked 18th globally.

His precision and composure are expected to be invaluable assets as he tackles the intense pressure of rapid-fire shooting.

Bashir will compete in the Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol event on August 4th.

Gulfam Joseph – 10m Air Pistol Men | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Event

After coming in 9th place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Gulfam Joseph was ready to move up his rankings.

The two-time Olympics shooter, along with another Pakistani participating shooter- Kishmala Talat both participated in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Event.

The pair, who had previously secured a bronze medal at the Asian Championships earlier this year, were unable to replicate their success on the Olympic stage.
Joseph had earlier participated in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s event, finishing in 22nd place during qualification. The mixed-team event saw the duo place 14th overall.

Kishmala Talat – 10m Air Pistol Women | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team | 25m Pistol Women

At just 22 years old, Kishmala has etched her name into Pakistan’s sporting history as the first woman to qualify directly for the Olympics. Teaming up with Gulam Joseph, she clinched a bronze medal at the Asia Championship Games in the 10m Air Pistol Women’s event.
While Joseph finished 31st in the individual 10m Air Pistol qualification and 14th in the Mixed Team event, Kishmala is set to compete in the 25m Pistol Women’s event on August 2nd.

Ahmed Durrani – Men’s 200m Freestyle

Ahmed Durrani, the youngest competitor in the Olympic field, made his debut in the Men’s 200m Freestyle on July 28th.

While he did not secure a podium finish, the experience serves as a valuable stepping stone. The determined athlete has already set his sights on a strong comeback at next year’s South Asian Games

Jehanra Nabi – 200m Freestyle

Jehanara Nabi is a skilled swimmer with 26 international medals and countless national titles. She is the recipient of a prestigious World Aquatics scholarship, where she trains at Thanyapura, the global training center in Thailand.
Despite her immense talent and rigorous training, Nabi faced a challenging outing in the recent 200m freestyle, finishing in 26th place on July 28th.